Mick Potter insists the Bulls will remain defiant in the face of ongoing injury problems.

Following a first win as Bradford boss on Saturday, the Aussie is determined not to let the absence of key players derail his side’s season.

Hooker Heath L’Estrange became the third playmaker to be sidelined within the space of a month when it was yesterday confirmed he will miss ten weeks with a fractured ankle.

Scrum half Marc Herbert has already missed the Bulls’ first three Super League games with hamstring trouble, while Kyle Briggs will sit out at least another three weeks after damaging knee ligaments in the campaign opener against Leeds.

“It’s obviously disappointing because Heath was going really well but it’s just one of those things,” said Potter.

“It’s a contact sport so this kind of contact injury will happen and you just have to deal with it.

“But there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it. These things do happen.

“I was speaking to some of the people from (reigning NRL champions) St George the other night and they told me they only used 28 players the whole season. They were really fortunate last year and that definitely helps.

“Injuries do play a big part in how you progress but we’ll get through it and we’ll work hard to make sure we keep putting wins on the board.”

L’Estrange suffered the injury during the closing stages of the Bulls’ 30-26 win at Crusaders and appeared to be in serious discomfort as he was helped from the field.

But the former Manly star was walking on the problem ankle after the game and medical staff had hoped it was only a sprain.

A scan confirmed worst fears, however, and fellow hooker Matt Diskin may be asked to play the full 80 minutes in his colleague’s absence.

Adam O’Brien is another option but the promising 17-year-old has yet to feature at Super League level, while Jamie Langley has filled in at hooker in the past and could be asked to reprise the role on his return from a shoulder injury.

Potter added: “Disko can play a full 80 minutes but it’s a case of whether that’s the right thing to do by him and the team because it’s tough to play 80 minutes in today’s game.

“In Adam’s case, I will talk to the coaching staff and assess him because he’s not even played a game in anger yet.”

The Bulls have also confirmed Chev Walker will miss four weeks with a pectoral tear, although Marc Herbert could return from a hamstring tear in Sunday’s clash with Wakefield.

Meanwhile, Steve McNamara has completely overlooked his former Bulls charges in the latest England Elite Training Squad.

Bradford are one of only three English Super League clubs without a single representative in the 32-man group named by national-team boss McNamara yesterday.

But youngsters Elliott Whitehead and James Donaldson have been recognised after being named in the England Knights squad, which will act as a back-up for the main squad.